I am about ready to take the plunge for my first plane. I flew some years ago but it's been awhile. I have been using a sim and having no problems flying most of the models on it. I have joined the local club and the AMA and I have assistance via the club to help me learn again.
I have been reading and reading and I sure like the flight characteristics of the Hanger 9 Piper J-3 Cub 40 ARF. It seems this plane can make an excellent first plane too according to what I am reading.
I am trying to select a motor for this ARF. I want to go 4 stroke~OK, I just like the sound.
I am thinking Saito and it seems to me that I have a choice of the 56 ACC, the 62 A ACC or the 72 ACC motors. There is not much of a price difference between them.
Given these 3 engines as a choice, which would you select for the J-3 in question and why?
I have a 10% coupon in hand for Horizon Hobby and it's burning a hole in my wallet!

I have the same plane, but the Great Planes version. I'm planning on a 72 four stroke for mine.

I also have the Great planes version. The Fabric looks much better then the plastic covering on the H9. The H9 does have a 2 piece wing so if space is limited to get the model to the field then that is a plus. I have a OS 70 SII on mine and it works very well with wheels and floats. If you never plan on floats and scale flying is all you will do with it then the 56 should work fine.

OK, well that gives me an idea anyway.
Just so happens we have a very nice 15 acre lake, one of many, just a few minutes from my house in the National Forest.
I was thinking about the floats option for later.
I was also thinking that perhaps a larger motor would be better for that for more power with the drag of the floats if and when I do get them.

I have the H9 40 (80" wing sapn) version with an older Saito 80 in it. I love that plane and like Mike mentioned; it is a lot easier getting that plane with a two piece wing to the field. You could fly that plane with less motor, but the 80 is a good match.

I would also have to agree with Mike about the covering. Fabric looks more scale like, but the older cubs that I have seen covered in fabric, start to look a little sad when they start getting some age and many flights on them. I still like mine though and when it's in the air it's hard to tell the difference in ultracote and fabric. Just my 2 cents.

I would go with the .70 or larger. I have a Goldberg cub, built from a kit, that is powered by a older Magnum .80 This plane also doubles as my float plane. The extra power is needed when flying off water. Remember, the throttle control is useful.

Bliksem

70 4-stroke

For float flying you will want that 70'ish four stroke. At full throttle it will not apear scale like and you don't have to use it all but, it is nice to have that extra power in reserve

Though it's not on your list, I've got a Saito 82 on my H-9 Cub. It's alot more power than it needs, but it flys great at under half throttle and sounds great. The 82's extra power will be useful for the eventual floats and for towing that are in my plans. IMHO, the 82 will also be more versitile (size) should you decide to swap it to another airframe at some point given the current options out there.
The H-9 Cub is a great flyer!
Cheers! BH

5 pitch prop. works the best  .   over powering is not needed.  If you do, install batt. in tail. <div> You are in for long run in with that brand engine.  Do yourself a favor, bench run before installation. So it dont shake the plane apart. </div>

What size of a prop are you running in the H9 40 Cub class of airplane? I just bought a 13x6 yesterday and to me it looks smaller than the real airplane. Think I may get a 14x6 today.

I use a saito .72b with a 13x6 on my CG clipped wing cub and it's a really fun plane with the rates turned up. Had a aSaito .56 and it flew it well, but the .72 is soooo much more fun.

I have a Great Planes 40 size Cub, the kit, and have run an OS 46, 52 and 91 in it. The 52 is the best engine for this plane, without a doubt. Anything bigger is extra power you don't need. It's a Cub, not an Extra.

G'day

I'm with The Parrot. I would go for the smaller engines. Of the three you mention (and I have all of them), the 56 is probably the most sensible but the 62 is almost the same size and weight and so would also be fine. I would not put a 72 in as it is heavier and as I also find that my 72 is not happy working on its side.

I have a Goldberg Cub which is similar to yours. Mine has a Saito 90TS in it. This is the twin cylinder suggested for floats etc. There is also the 60T which is recommended for non float applications. The 90TS does an excellent job of flying the Cub and sounds great too. It is not particularly powerful - about the same as a 62. It has not had a lot of running yet.

I had a previous Goldberg cub which I bought part built. The original builder set it up for an OS Surpass 70 and as I had on I put it in. It had vastly too much power (and weight) and was not nice to fly. So in went an OS 52 surpass and it was much nicer. It even flew well with an old and very tired Enya 46 four stroke. Cubs do not need a lot of engine to fly. They have a lot of wing.

If you really think a Saito .72 weighs a lot, your 90TS and T60 are boat anchors compared to it in weight and lesspower.
In the right hands a Cub can do way more than fly around scale like.